The most sacred temple in Singapore for the Hokkien community

The mood

The crowd

The experience

Best for

Our Review

Tell me: What’s this place all about?Thian Hock Keng, a.k.a. Tianfu Temple, is Singapore’s oldest Buddhist temple. The elaborate architecture, done up in the traditional southern Chinese style, was built without using a single nail. Now fully restored, it's a feast for the eyes with its dragon and phoenix sculptures and Fujian-style broken porcelain roof ridges. Photos aren't allowed in most parts of the temple, and you'll likely get caught if you try to snap one. Admission is free, but it never gets too crowded.

Who comes here?The temple draws a mix of visitors. You'll see worshippers lighting incense or praying in designated meditation rooms, and tourists milling about the courtyards. It's a small, working temple.

Did it meet expectations?It's a lovely temple but not necessarily something a traveler should go out of their way to see, unless they're deeply interested in Hokkien culture, Chinese Buddhism, or temple architecture.

Got it. So, then, what, or who, do you think it’s best for?Local worshippers and the culture curious. If you can't keep your camera in your purse, don't go. This is not a selfie op.